Government Efficiency Research Articles

Study on the impact of administrative division management on the regional economy—From the perspective of 281 prefecture-level cities

Merging counties into districts has significant implications for optimizing administrative structures, enhancing regional governance efficiency, and promoting socio-economic development. By incorporating the experiences of previous studies and summarizing corresponding advantages and disadvantages, we utilized data from 1999 to 2018. Employing a double-difference model, we constructed an index system covering economic, employment, ecological, and other aspects. We selected 22 indicators from 281 cities to assess the high-quality development level at the city scale. Based on whether the policy of merging counties into districts was implemented, we divided all samples into treatment and control groups to delve into the economic impact of administrative division adjustment policies. The study empirically demonstrates that the policy of merging counties into districts has a significantly positive impact on economic development in the regions where this policy is implemented. We found that administrative division management can have a positive impact on the economy, and this result has been verified, passing the significance test.

Transformation of digital government services in the public sector in South Africa

Background: It is well-documented that the 21st century is providing digital technologies in an alarming rate. Their emergence promotes effectiveness, efficiency, accountability and transparency of public services and internal governance. This study was conducted within the government departments and state-owned agencies of South Africa.Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the transformation of digital government services in the public sector in South Africa.Methods: This case study used qualitative approach where data were collected through semi-structured interviews from the national government departments and state-owned entities. The target population comprised information technology officers, investigators or analysts and administrative officers. Data collected were thematically analysed preceding the transcription of audio-recordings.Results: Some of the significant results of this study showed that the executives avoid playing their role to drive Information and communications technology (ICT) through Corporate ICT Strategy.Conclusion: Some of the challenges of adopting digital transformation are associated with low digital literacy, poor digital infrastructure, unreliable power supply, among others.Contribution: This study establishes that if the senior managers from ICT section become members of the executive committee, the government can have successful implementation of ICT projects without scepticism. This study also contributes to the awareness of considering digital literacy skills to support digital transformation.

Educational Innovations in the Fundamentals of Marxism in the Context of the New Era

In the historical context of the new era, socialist education with Chinese characteristics faces many opportunities and challenges. With the further deepening of globalisation and informatisation, traditional economic, cultural and technological boundaries are becoming blurred, while bringing about social challenges such as intensified global competition and the polarisation of the rich and the poor. As the world's second largest economy, China is striving to find a development path suitable for itself in the wave of globalisation. In the age of information technology, cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence and big data are reshaping the economy and society, while the Internet and mobile communication technologies have made the flow of information more rapid, which not only facilitates the dissemination of knowledge, but also has a significant impact on the mode of education and the way of work. By promoting the "Internet Plus" action plan and the development of the digital economy, the Chinese government aims to improve governance capacity and efficiency, and draw up a blueprint for a digital China and a smart society. In the new era of ideological pluralism, China faces the challenges and opportunities of both socialist core values and traditional cultural heritage. China is trying to find a balance between inheritance and innovation, and to strengthen citizens' moral construction and cultural confidence. Such an endeavour not only enhances the country's cultural soft power, but is also a positive response to the changes of the times. At the same time, socialist education with Chinese characteristics is also placing greater emphasis on people's livelihoods and fairness and justice in the new era, and the public's pursuit of a high quality of life has become more intense. The rising demand for education, health, housing and the environment requires the government to pay more attention to livelihood improvement and social equity while promoting economic development. The concept of environmental protection and green development has become a social consensus, pointing to the goal of sustainable development. China's economic system is transforming into a more globally competitive modernisation and is seeking a broader space for development under the new pattern of globalisation. The changes brought about by this new era to Chinese education are not only challenges, but also opportunities. China not only needs to play an important role in the international arena, but also needs to deepen its internal reforms in order to raise the level of national education and contribute to the grand blueprint of high-quality economic development and national rejuvenation. Marxist education, as a guiding ideology, will continue to play an important role in this process, aiming to cultivate the talents needed by the times, promote the internalisation and practice of socialist core values, and ultimately realise socialist modernisation and the overall revitalization of the country.

Work Environment and Job Performance: The Mediating Role of Office Ergonomics

This study aimed to address the influence of the Work Environment on employees’ health and safety, comfort, and task accomplishment by investigating office ergonomics as the possible underlying mechanism. The study was conducted in Dodoma City Council, specifically in the ward and Mitaa offices. Data were collected from 79 respondents through a questionnaire. Data were analyzed quantitatively using the Pearson correlation coefficient and regression analysis, and the Sobel test was performed to assess if the mediator variable was significant enough to mediate the relationship between variables. The study has found that work environment and ergonomics have a linear and positive relationship (r = 0.5433, p < .0001). The results have also indicated that ergonomics is related to employee health and safety, comfort, and task accomplishment. The study revealed that most offices in lower local government authorities in Dodoma City Council need ergonomically designed chairs and tables, adequate quality air, and lighting. Inadequacy of these elements risks the office bearers' health and safety, comfort, and performance. Therefore, ergonomics should be a strategic aspect in enhancing work efficiency and productivity in lower local government in Tanzania.

Definition of State Jurisdiction in the Digital Space

The article examines the evolution of the Internet as an integral component of modern information society and its influence on defining state jurisdiction in the digital space. The author analyzes traditional approaches to understanding state jurisdiction in the Internet space, including the concept of neutral territories with international regimes, analogous to the regime established in Antarctica, in outer space regarding celestial bodies, etc., the concept of limiting state competence to national domain names, as well as the principles of territorial sovereignty, establishment of a global regulatory regime, and the principle of jurisdictional autonomy. Special attention in the article is devoted to ensuring, on the one hand, constant, free, and open access to the network, and on the other hand, protecting users from potential negative consequences. The main methods used in preparing this article are: a set of logical research methods and techniques; methods of analysis and synthesis, deduction, as well as special legal methods. In order to promote a more fair and equal global governance of the digital space and the construction of an information society with a common future in cyberspace, governments of countries should reconsider the traditional model of state governance, as with the development of digital technologies, it has proven to be ineffective, which may lead to even greater resistance from society and the private sector of the economy. Therefore, it is necessary to develop international norms, principles, methods, and standards aimed at effectively regulating the digital space and settling the issue of establishing state jurisdiction in the global network, which will allow finding a balance between public and private security, the efficiency of state governance, and at the same time ensure the protection of digital rights of citizens.

A Study of Pakistan’s Fiscal Landscape: Examining the Influence of Institutional Quality and Tax Policy Transformation

Tax collection is the fundamental pillar of financing public services such as education, healthcare, social welfare programs, and infrastructure, and ensuring economic stability. A high share in tax to GDP shows showing greater capacity of a government to provide a high living standard. Maintaining a high tax-to-GDP ratio is important to reveal the ability of the government to generate revenue mobilization. The main drive of the paper is to scrutinize the tax reform influence on the tax-to-GDP ratio for the data period covering from 1996 to 2022 in Pakistan. The study employs the ARDL estimation method, which is suggested by the unit root test. Notably, the long-run results show that regulatory quality and government effectiveness depicted a positive influence on the tax to GDP share, suggesting that improvements in these areas can significantly increase revenue collection. Similarly, political stability and the rule of law also play a positive and significant impact on tax to GDP shares, highlighting their vital roles in increasing revenue mobilization and tax voluntary tax compliance. In contrast, inflation appears negative association with tax to GDP ratio, indicating a substantial decline in the revenue mobilization in the total revenue collection. Findings recommend that the government have to focus on enhancing controlling quality, political stability, government efficiency, and the law and order to boost voluntary tax compliance. Additionally, strengthening institutions is vitally important for enforcing tax laws, and guaranteeing a fair and transparent tax mechanism further boosts revenue collection efforts.

Factors associated with food security in rural communities across the globe

Food security is a global issue that affects millions of people worldwide. Several studies have been carried out to understand the dynamics of food security resulting from emerging issues across the globe such as climate change, conflict, etc. The authors have reviewed in this article the factors associated with food security in rural communities considering the socio-economic characteristics of individuals, livelihood concerns, inflation in the economy and purchasing power of households, the use of technology, governmental or non-governmental support and the effect of food insecurity on individuals and households. The studies have shown that lack of employment opportunities, low income of households, climate change, inflation and instability of food prices, poor rural infrastructure, inefficient government policies, and lack of technology at household level are major contributing factors to rural food insecurity. Moreover, one of the key conclusions of the published studies is that food insecurity negatively impacts health in both adults and children.

How does tax revenue sharing affect local government governance? Empirical evidence from Chinese cities

High-level government governance is the support and guarantee for achieving high-quality economic and social development. This study identifies the impact and mechanisms of tax revenue sharing on local government governance from theoretical and empirical perspectives. It is found that the increase of tax sharing ratio of city and county governments can trigger financial incentives and effectively improve the level of local government governance. At the same time, the increase of tax sharing ratio can also improve the public expenditure structure of local governments to enhance the level of local digital infrastructure construction so as to strengthen governance efficiency.

Optimizing Village Accountability Through SISKEUDES Financial System Implementation

Law no. 6 of 2014 mandates village government accountability, leading to the creation of the Village Financial System (SISKEUDES) by BPKP. This study investigates SISKEUDES implementation in Kepunten Tulangan Sidoarjo Village, focusing on APBDes (Village Budget) accountability. Using qualitative methods, including observation, interviews, and documentation, data were collected from key informants. Findings reveal SISKEUDES significantly enhances accountability and transparency, aiding efficient financial management and timely reporting. This research underscores the importance of technological solutions in improving local governance and promoting transparency. Highlight: echnology Boosts Accountability: SISKEUDES enhances village government financial transparency. Research Methods: Employed qualitative techniques including observation and interviews. Governance Efficiency: SISKEUDES facilitates efficient financial management and transparency. Keywoard: SISKEUDES, Accountability, Transparency, Local Governance, Financial Management

Integrating Knowledge and Democracy for Practical Reform to Overcome Political Crisis in Bangladesh

It is crucial to integrate knowledge and democracy into Bangladesh's government to establish a fair and effective system for future leaders. Let us implement this new system to ensure our government serves citizens' needs fairly and justly. This research paper proposes a new method for selecting administrative and state councils at different levels of government based on the Integration/Islamization of Knowledge and Democracy. The study includes interviews with political leaders and experts from Bangladesh and extensive research on politics in the country. The theories involved in this research are from Prof. Emeritus Dato' Dr. Abdulhamid Abusulayman, Profesor Emeritus Tan Sri Dr. Mohd. Kamal bin Hassan, Prof. Dr. Ibrahim Mohamed Zein, and former colleagues and students of al-Faruqi and al-Attas. The two pathways to introduce IoK and modern democracy in Bangladesh and other states with political crises are: 1) Education reform to emphasize interdisciplinary learning, practical applications, and critical thinking, and 2) Government support for policies and funding to promote IoK initiatives, collaboration, and evaluations. Thus, the Integrated Knowledge of Federal Democracy System (IKOFDS) is a proposed governmental structure that aims to empower citizens, enhance governance efficiency, and foster collaborative decision-making. By combining Federalism with the Integration of Knowledge (IoK) and a robust democratic method, the (IKOFDS) seeks to create a balanced and responsive governance model that capitalizes on the strengths of Federalism, knowledge integration, and democratic principles.

Political trust and legitimacy crisis in the age of COVID-19: an assessment of the EndSARS protest in Nigeria

The article examined the manifestations of political trust deficits associated with people's response to policy choices of Nigeria's government during the COVID-19 pandemic. Like many other states, the African states and particularly the Nigerian government adopted WHO-recommended containment measures to limit the spread of the virus and the associated catastrophe. These measures included lockdowns, shutdowns, social distancing, and personal hygiene among other preventive procedures. Even though the pandemic was relatively less endemic in Africa, as per official statistics, African states swiftly implemented the WHO containment measures, which impacted negatively on the livelihood of the average household, who depends on daily incomes for survival. The worsening living condition caused by the containment measures expectedly deepened resentment against governments in Africa with already poor records of public service delivery, accountability, transparency, and human rights. Nigeria was one of the African countries that experienced citizens' backlash and violent outrage against government policy choices during the COVID-19. Under the guise fighting police brutality, youths staged mass anti-government protests that transformed into large scale violence, particularly in the southern parts of the country otherwise known as the “EndSARS Protests.” The protests were conceived against police brutality in the enforcement of COVID-19 measures. This article examined the outbreak of EndSARS protests as a transformation of the deepening of political trust deficits in age of COVID-19. It adopted qualitative approach using documentary evidence such as newspaper reports and official documents as instruments of data collection. The Institutional Performance Theory guided the article. The theory assumes that the actual performance of government determines citizens' level of trust and confidence in public institutions. The article found that perennial government inefficiency, limited accountability and transparency as well as poor human rights records of the government and its agencies, particularly the police exacerbated an already existing political trust deficits amongst the people in Nigeria. This was manifested in the outburst of a large-scale violent outrage by the youths as protest to the government containment measures and widespread dysfunctional governmental institutions and particularly police brutality. The article concluded that building trust is particularly important for governments, as this can be achieved through output sense, the provision of public goods, or social support.

Rainfall’s impact on agricultural production and government poverty reduction efficiency in China

The quest to eradicate poverty, central to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), poses a significant global challenge. Advancement in sustainable rural development is critical to this effort, requiring the seamless integration of environmental, economic, and governmental elements. Previous research often omits the complex interactions among these factors. Addressing this gap, this study evaluates sustainable rural development in China by examining the interconnection between agricultural production and government-led poverty reduction, with annual rainfall considered an influential factor of climate change impacts on these sectors and overall sustainability. Utilizing a Meta-frontier entropy network dynamic Directional Distance Function (DDF) within an exogenous Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) model, we categorize China’s 27 provinces into southern and northern regions according to the Qinling-Huaihe line for a comparative study of environmental, economic, and governmental efficiency. This innovative approach overcomes the limitations of previous static analyses. The findings reveal: (1) Rainfall, as an exogenous variable, significantly affects agricultural production efficiency. (2) The overall efficiency in both southern and northern regions increases when accounting for rainfall. (3) Government effectiveness in poverty reduction is comparatively lower in the northern region than in the southern region when rainfall is considered. These insights underscore the importance of including climatic variables in sustainable development policies and emphasize the need for region-specific strategies to bolster resilience against climatic challenges.

Government digital transformation, resource curse and green total factor energy efficiency in Chinese cities

In the age of digitalization, Government Digital Transformation (GDD) stands out as a critical gauge of a nation's modernization drive. It reflects the extent of modernization within the governance framework and acts as a central catalyst for improving governance efficiency and the overall modernity of the system. Against this backdrop, this study empirically investigates the impact of GDD on green total factor energy efficiency (GTFEE) from 2011 to 2020, focusing on prefecture-level cities in China. Using a two-way fixed-effects model, we analyze how GDD influences GTFEE. Additionally, we explore the mediating effect and threshold models to elucidate the mechanisms underlying the resource curse (RC). The findings of the study are as follows: first, GDD has a promoting effect on GTFEE; second, the promoting effect of GDD on GTFEE is more obvious in southern cities and fourth-tier cities; third, the RC plays a mediating effect in the relationship between GDD and GTFEE, specifically, GDD promotes GTFEE by suppressing the RC effect and then promotes GTFEE; fourth, the present study also identifies a RC threshold effect; when RC < 0.5127, the energy efficiency promotion effect of GDD is relatively limited, while when RC ≥ 0.5127, the promotion effect of GDD on GTFEE is significantly enhanced. These findings are of great value for understanding and optimizing the strategic significance of GDD in enhancing GTFEE. They provide a scientific basis and directional guidance for formulating and implementing related policies.

Population And Development: Employing The Capability Approach in Family Planning Policy for Women In Indonesia

Indonesia currently holds the position of the fourth most populous country globally, facing persistent challenges such as poverty, hunger, gender inequality, and disparity. In response, a family planning program was initiated in the 1980s to regulate population growth. Using the capability approach, this research investigates the impact of Indonesia's family planning policy on women, emphasizing gender disparity resulting from inadequate support for human rights in population and family development. Conversion factors play a significant role in shaping women's freedom and capabilities. The study critically examines the strengths and weaknesses of the family planning policy, revealing obstacles for women related to governance shifts, conflicting policies, government inefficiencies, and BKKBN's limitations. The study underscores the importance of effective implementation across all sectors and agencies to address gender inequality in women's health

MEASURING HOSPITAL EFFICIENCY DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC IN INDONESIA

By addressing indicators of inefficiency at the initial of the COVID-19 pandemic, hospitals can immediately respond through resources. This research aims at assessing the efficiency of both government and commercial hospitals in Indonesia during the pandemic. Accounting data was collected from documentation of financial statements. The data was analyzed by using the data envelopment analysis technique and Tobit regression. The research showed that over three years of the pandemic, the hospital's efficiency rate decreased successively by 100%, 86%, and 76%. However, the optimization of hospital efficiency can be significantly improved by revenue factors, specifically the quantifiable quantity of income generated. This highlighted the need to increase revenue to ensure the provision of high-quality services to the general population. It is hoped that this research will shed light on the challenges faced by hospitals during these difficult times and provide insights for future improvements.

Big data empowerment: Digital transformation and governance of minority shareholders: Evidence from China.

Based on the analysis of data from listed enterprises in China between 2011 and 2022, we investigate the influence of digital transformation on the governance efficiency for minority shareholders. The results show that the extent of digital transformation exert a negative effect on the agency costs incurred from related-party transactions. The mechanism examination elucidates that digital transformation augments the governance efficiency for minority shareholders by boosting attendance at shareholders' meetings and enhancing the exit threat for minority shareholders. Subsequent analysis reveals that non-state-owned enterprises, compared to state-owned enterprises, exhibit a more pronounced effect in diminishing the second type of agency costs through digital transformation. Furthermore, the impact of digital transformation in curtailing agency costs is more significant in the eastern regions than central and western regions. The better the equity checks and balances in listed enterprises, the more effective digital transformation is in reducing agency costs. This study offers valuable insights for bolstering the governance capacity of minority shareholders in the context of digital transformation.

The dynamic relationship between good governance, fiscal policy, and sustainable economic growth in Oman

The present study aimed to determine the dynamic relationship between good governance, fiscal policy, and economic growth in Oman. In the context of the current study, researchers chose a quantitative approach to answer the research questions, utilizing the latest 2023 data from the World Bank and The Global Economy databases. The data for the current study was carefully selected using variables that represent aspects of governance, fiscal policies, and economic performance. Our analysis uses Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) regression and the Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) Model. These methods help us understand these factors’ immediate and long-term impacts on Oman’s economy. The results we obtained offer fascinating insights into the country’s economic dynamics. We observe bidirectional causal relationships between the Good Governance Index (GGI) and the Regulatory Quality Index (RQI) and economic growth, while Fiscal Policy Effectiveness (FPE), Government Efficiency Index (GEI), and the Rule of Law Index (RLI) exhibit unidirectional causality towards GDP. Budget Balance (BB) shows no causal relationship with GDP, implying external factors influence it. Additionally, moderation analysis underscores the significance of digital financial inclusion in amplifying the effects of governance and fiscal policies on economic growth. These findings hold practical implications for policymakers and stakeholders in Oman. Specifically, they highlight the importance of governance, regulatory quality, and effective fiscal policies in shaping the economic landscape. To foster sustainable economic development, efforts should improve governance, enhance fiscal policy effectiveness, and promote digital financial inclusion.

Environmental taxation and inclusive green growth in developing countries: does the quality of institutions matter?

The promotion of inclusive green growth is one of the most debated topics in international forums and is considered a major concern by all countries in the world. Although the existing literature has examined several determinants of inclusive green growth, the impact of environmental taxation on inclusive green growth is relatively little explored. This study is therefore the first attempt to examine the impact of the environmental tax on inclusive green growth for developing countries from 2000 to 2021. To do this, we apply the system generalised method of moments (GMM) that controls unobserved heterogeneity, heteroskedasticity, simultaneity, reverse causality and endogeneity. The empirical results show that environmental tax promotes inclusive green growth. In addition, our results indicate that the control of corruption, government efficiency, the quality of regulation and the rule of law interact with the environmental tax to promote inclusive green growth. Furthermore, this study reveals interestingly that the environmental tax has a positive impact on the two components of inclusive growth and green growth, but the institutional factors that accentuate the impact of the environmental tax are somewhat nuanced. The results of the study have important policy implications for decision-makers in developing countries in promoting inclusive and environmentally friendly growth.

Conceptual Model of The Role of Territorial Management Controller and Good Governance

Purpose: This literature review aims to explore the intersection of management control and good governance at the local level, specifically within territorial authorities. The central purpose is to understand how management control can act as a strategic tool to enhance transparency, efficiency, and accountability in local governance. Method/design/approach: Methodologically, the review involves a comprehensive exploration of academic databases to identify relevant articles, theses, and books on the subject. The synthesis of findings encompasses historical perspectives, theoretical frameworks, and empirical studies, providing a holistic overview of the complex relationship between management control and local governance. Results and conclusion: The review synthesizes findings that reveal the multifaceted nature of good governance, the historical evolution of governance concepts, and the intricate link between management control and organizational strategy. It highlights the various responsibilities of territorial management controllers, encompassing decision support, education, and mediation functions. Research implications: The review suggests future research directions and underscores the practical importance of adapting private sector tools to the public sector while considering the specificities of territorial governance. Socially, effective management control practices are seen as potential enhancers of citizen satisfaction, transparency, and accountability in local governance. Originality/value: The originality and value of the literature review lie in its comprehensive exploration of historical governance evolution, the conceptualization of good governance, and the integration of management control into the public sector. It provides a rich framework for studying their interaction in territorial communities, offering insights that can inform both research and practical applications in local governance.

The Impact of E-Government on the New Generation Productive Capacities: Evidence from Cross-Country Data

The New Generation Productive Capacity Index (PCI) and the E-Government Development Index (EGDI) are increasingly used in various economies. Therefore, can e-government contribute to the continuous development of the new generation of productive capacity? Focusing on this important issue, this paper systematically examines the mechanism of the impact of e-government on the new generation of productive capacity and tests it using relevant data from major global economies. Firstly, this paper conducts regression analysis using the panel fixed-effects model, and the results show that e-government has a positive facilitating effect on the new generation of productive capacity. Secondly, the development of e-government will directly reduce the time, procedural, and monetary costs for enterprises and individuals to obtain government services, thereby promoting the development of production capacity. Finally, the specific changes in the structure of social expenditures are that government education expenditures and general expenditures will increase, but total government expenditures and household expenditures will not be affected by the construction of e-government. The research contribution of this paper is mainly reflected in the following three aspects: first, in terms of research perspectives, this paper extends the research on e-government’s ability to improve the efficiency of governments and organizations in handling affairs and its impact on the productive capacity of a society. Second, it contributes to the theory on the topic of e-government. This paper proposes a general equilibrium model to reveal the impact of e-government construction on a government and the public, and to more comprehensively reveal the impact mechanism of e-government construction in the whole economy. Third, this paper contributes empirical evidence. This paper utilizes the data of the major economies around the world to reveal the mutual influence between the construction of e-government and the new generation of productive capacity, and then effectively proves the specific impact of e-government on governments, enterprises, and individuals through the test of cost mechanism and financial mechanism. Different from the existing literature, this paper focuses on the impact of e-government on the new generation of productive capacity, revealing that e-government construction does not increase the financial burden on governments but reduces the burden on firms and individuals, thus providing new insights into the productivity effects of e-government development.